Deeside plays host to AIYF performances

Aberdeen International Youth Festival (AIYF) will again be bringing shows to Deeside as part of the popular Extended Festival programme.

Shows will cover the North-east during the nine-day event, from Friday, July 29 – Saturday, August 6.

This year the festival welcomes groups from Canada, Norway, China, Malta, the USA, South Africa and many more. It has a varied programme of events including live music, theatre and dance from a range of international groups.

On Sunday, July 31, at 3pm the Victoria and Albert Halls in Ballater will play host to the Moravian Woodwind Quintet from the Czech Republic, as well as UK-based ukulele player Christopher Napier, who sings in the style of George Formby.

There is a chance to catch the Afrika E Ntle Theatre Workshop from South Africa, performing self-devised plays along with the Seed Dance Company from Malta who perform a range of dance styles at the Deeside Theatre in Aboyne on Tuesday, August 2, 2pm.

The same day at 7.30pm the Vivaldi Strings ensemble from the United States will appear at St Margaret’s Church, Braemar. Audiences can expect precision, artistic flair and uplifting sounds from the award-winning group of 27 musicians.

At Banchory West Church on the same night the Tim Muhibah Angklung Orchestra from Indonesia will display a range of music, spanning from traditional concert pieces to more familiar, contemporary work.

There is another opportunity to see the self-devised plays of the Afrika E Ntle Theatre Workshop from South Africa at Woodend Barn in Banchory on Thursday, August 4, at 7.30pm.

The Extended Festival programme is a unique chance to see young, talented performers in a local setting. With more than twenty shows travelling to towns and villages across the North-east, there is something for everyone at this year’s AIYF.